Saving Blemons in "The Film Society"

Sometimes a politically-inspired play turns out to be remarkably innocent of politics.

So it is with Jon Robin Baitz' "The Film Society," at least in its current Keen Company production.

"The Film Society" is unquestionably apolitical. Although there are some incendiary statements made by several of its characters, the lead, Jonathon Balton (Euon Morton) is strangely  unaffected by any of the turmoil in Durban, South Africa circa 1970.

Despite Terry Sinclair's (David Barlow) avowed radicalism, and Hamish Fox's (Richmond Hoxie) rabid aversion to the progressive, "The Film Society" is dispassionate. Given its setting, "The Film Society" is rife with possibilities for genuine conflict; instead it devolves into a tale of petty manipulation.

David Barlow as Terry and Euon Morton as Jonathon in "The Film Society" at the Keen. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

The survival of Neville Sutter's (Gerry Bamman) derelict boys school is meant to be the meat of the drama.
In its resurrection, the generally unmoored Jonathon is to find purpose. Certianly that is his mother's (Roberta Maxwell) fervent intention.

Mrs. Balton sees her son's future clearly. Can Jonathon abandon his friendships with Nan (Mandy Siegfried) and Terry Sinclair?

There are a couple of exceedingly poetic passages in "The Film Society," although both wax on about unappetizing decay. Surely a connection is to be made there. But neither revolutionary change, nor fettered recalcitrance has a clear win.

Euon Morton is appealingly naive as Jonathon. David Barlow stands out along with Roberta Maxwell in the ensemble because they offer consistent visions for their characters. They also not incidentally are able to hang on to their accents, a nagging problem for some of their fellows, if not for Morton to whom it comes more naturally.

"The Film Society" sets up an opportunity to explore the politics of South Africa that is squandered in the dullness of the first act. "The Film Society" is somewhat redeemed as we proceed to the second, but it continues to suffer from a lethargy.

A Tony win, like Jon Robin Baitz' for "Other Desert Cities" will buoy a production of any of his works. Unfortunately, "The Film Society," with its potential is unfocused, discolored by an apathy that seems unlikely for its place in time.

For more information about "The Film Society," please visit http://www.keencompany.org/home/